“ Get out of the comfort zone, to witness and enjoy what the world offers you..”

“ Any job may give you money but when you want life pursue your dream..”

I associated my life with these quotes.

I am a recommended candidate for SSC NAVY GS(X) from 12 SSB Bangalore in my fifth attempt after 4 consecutive screen outs(3 from Army and 1 from Navy). I have a family background where people aren’t aware of the defence jobs. I am very proud that I am the first person to know and get recommended for a defence job.

My journey for SSB started after witnessing Neeraj Chopra clinching the gold like a master. With the happiness and having no idea of not even getting screened in I boarded the train from Karur to Bangalore. In the morning the train got late by 30 minutes. Finally I reached the centre by 05:50 hrs instead of planned 05:15 hrs. This time I didn’t get fascinated by the repeaters who were sharing their previous experiences. The NCOs and the groundsmen let us in after verifying the RT-PCR and Call up forms.

STAGE 1 : Screening Test

The test started after breakfast in Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan Hall. The OIR was quite easy since I practiced a lot and was as Col Balasubramanian sir advised. I was very confident of getting more than 95%. Then came my PPDT a picture depicting a car crash scene was projected. I weaved a logical story. Then we were made to wait for around an hour for our discussion.  I narrated my story in a crisp and bold way. Then the real fish market started. I just waited for the right moment and registered my point with a loud and bold voice at the time where the group got driven towards my point. From the reported 65 we 28 got screened in. Since this was my first screening I felt like getting recommended.

Tips for screening : OIR must be top notch. While narration please don’t recite the story exactly rather justify why you chose that theme for the story stating the key point from that picture. Wait for the right time during discussion and justify your story in a loud and vibrant way.

STAGE 2 :

Psychology tests :

The test started at 07:00 hrs with TAT, I wrote all the stories logically and innovatively with a positive climax. I wrote all 60 WATs with classy response. Then I ended up with 57 SRTs all with response as per Col Balasubramanian sir’s guidance. Then I did Self Description.

Note :  I didn’t go neither with a cooked up blank slide story nor Self description.

GTO day 1 :

Dressed in full attire we did some warm ups in the barracks itself. The GTO came and briefed about the next two days’ tasks. The GD started with a topic “The existing state of Indian Railways compared to other developed countries” and “Enhanced India Japan Relationship”, among which the first one was chosen. The next one was “Effect and remedy for online trolling during pandemic.” I started as second and initiated the discussion respectively. Then in the GPE I gave a complete officer like solution which is possible only with Col sir’s expert guidance. In the discussion we didn’t arrive at a common solution.

Followed by that PGT and HGT took place. Since it was my first screening I am not much aware of Group tasks and was quite back in the track compared to the repeaters who have already been Conf. out from the same board. Since it rained the previous night Snake race had some casualities. I couldn’t climb the wall but I helped the team mates to climb by lifting them over the wall. Our team finished last. The lecturette topic I chose was “ Fast Food Culture” and delivered a perfect lecture having some pun and comparison in that.

GTO Day 2 : 

It started with a slight warm up I completed all the Individual Obstacle and couldn’t repeat. I was called last in my CT where I was given quite difficult task but I nailed it easily. Then the FGT took place and we had some fun over there.

NOTE : I wasn’t called by any of my teammates as subordinate in CT.

Personal Interview :

I had my PI scheduled on GTO Day 1. I was interviewed by the Tech officer. I was questioned about my final year project, Electrical vehicle, metro train EHV lines protection, my NCC camps, the series I watch, personal questions, my performance in the tests so far, my future plans etc. I was very confident in answering my questions and gave a detailed explanation of the tech concepts. The ones I didn’t know the answer I simply said “I didn’t know..”. My interview lasted for around 35 min.

D-Day : Conference :

I was called 15 (chest no.), a 10 min discussion went on before calling me in. I went in wished the president and the questions were shot at me. They questioned about my overweight issue. I said I was doing bulking workout and due to pandemic weight increased due to inaccessibility to gyms. I also said I have reduced around 6 kgs before coming to SSB so I can easily reduce the remaining 10 kgs. Then I was asked about my performance, then was asked to rate my performance. Then some formal questions about centre facilities and was asked to leave.

The President then came with the results. I didn’t anticipate anything rather thinking about using my mobile after the conference. He said chest no. 02,03,05,10(I felt happy for him since he was very hardworking), then he said 15… I couldn’t believe my ears.. I was extremely happy.

I owe my recommendation to the expert guidance of Col Balasubramanian, which I think can’t be obtained from any other institute. I have met many coached candidates but students of Col sir are sure of getting recommended once screened in.

Personal views :

• Don’t get driven by peer’s views.
• Be calm, confident and don’t get afraid of the assessors over there.
• Don’t anticipate recommendation rather focus on consistency.
• Defend your psychology response, PIQ throughout your SSB.

Now I got TR for overweight which I am under reduction like ‘I’ movie Vikram…

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PROFILE:

NAME         :  RAGHAVENDRAN K

EDUCATION  :  BE (ECE)